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WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- It's been 12 years since terrorists using planes killed 3,000 people, but everyone remembers exactly where they were the moment this country changed forever.

At 8:46, 9:03, planes hit the World Trade Center towers and then 9:37 a plane struck the Pentagon. When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, a wall collapsed and 184 people died.

President Obama marked the anniversary with a ceremony Wednesday morning at the Pentagon at the exact time a dozen years ago when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. Seventy two police officers nationwide lost their lives that day. Their names are now inscribed on the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., including a friend and colleague of U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers.

He was the superintendent of the Port Authority Police. Fred was last seen going up on one of the towers like many of the fallen firefighters and police officers did trying to save people.

"He was in his mid-60s when we met him, in great shape. Gave his all. He drove to the site like many firefighters and police officers did to try to save lives," remembers Chambers.

She says he was a special person. "One heck of a guy, led from the front, died as a result but was quite a legacy," says Chambers.

The names of all 72 officers are proudly inscribed on the walls. They're listed side by side symbolizing the way in which they heroically gave their lives.

Chambers tells us, "As sad as memorials like this are, it gives what we do every day, purpose."